Skyfall - Bond 23

[polkablues]

Also, this could mean Kate Winslet finally becoming a Bond girl. She's always wanted to but she says producers may be afraid of casting her because she would refuse to dress raunchily, but Mendes directing would obviously change things.

If anyone can talk her into dressing raunchily, it would be her husband.

[Gold Trumpet]

I was thinking Mendes' involvement would mean they would let her stay demure for the role. The standard sexiness then would be saved for the second Bond girl in the film.

[Stefen]

I want Mendes to do the Preacher movie, not Bond. Although Kate Winslet as a Bond babe would be the best.

[picolas]

i'm really curious about this. i hate mendes but only because he's so obvious with everything (aside from american beauty). a bond movie DEMANDS obviousness. this could be a great match.

[©brad]

American Beauty wasn't obvious?

[Gold Trumpet]

American Beauty wasn't obvious?

My thoughts exactly, but essentially, Picolas is right because I'm not the biggest Mendes fan either, but he could have the right pedigree to make the Bond franchise a lot better. It needs fundamental changes to improve its films in the way Pixar has improved the typical children's story. I also like that indepedent filmmakers are more stepping into these roles. Steven Soderbergh says to be just an art house filmmaker or a studio filmmaker is a trap and you need to operate between both realms. The benefit of this acceptance amongst more filmmakers has been better entertainment all around, but I still wish for better art house entrees. It's still lagging.

[picolas]

American Beauty wasn't obvious?

i think it's more obvious in retrospect. i guess i'm just saying American Beauty is a great movie, making it a big Sam Mendes exception.

[Stefen]

Away We Go is good.

I think I like Road To Perdition more than American Beauty. It actually kind of bothers me that out of all the great movies of 1999, American Beauty is the one that seems to get mentioned the most. Probably in the minority there. 

I like anything more than Jarhead, though.

[pete]

this is a real bad trend.  it sounds good on paper but really a good director can barely elevate a studio drama - how is he going to insert soul into the Bond franchise?  It's part of the strategy to market the movies as "good movies" - but the last one was as crappy as any subpar bond - only it's trendier so most people haven't seen through the new bullshit.  Sam Mendes doesn't know how to make things look cool - neither does the producer or the editor, though Dan Bradley the second unit may or may not be a genius - I'll be able to tell when incoherent editing isn't the trend again.  all that "real drama" in Bond's character isn't what makes Bond interesting - this "update" approach really is just a more palpable version of Phantom Menace.

[Pas]

also, sorry but Kate Winslet has the ugliest boobs.

[Stefen]

also, sorry but Kate Winslet has the ugliest boobs.

haha. They're alright. She needs to show more dolled up boob and not so much down in the dumps boob. Titanic boob = MOAR! Little Children boob = Seeing your babysitters side-boob. EXCITING. The Reader boob = I'll take a peak, but come on.

The fact that she's always so eager to show them (despite how she always says she's never going to show them again) is kind of a turn-on. She's such a proper and classy film slut.

[Pas]

haha good analysis!

Mia Kirshner could do a great villain/crazy bond girl à la Famke Jenssen in Goldeneye. I find her very hot especially for a 35 yo (wtf whe looks 24)

[polkablues]

I'd be all for Mia Kirshner. She's always been one of my favorites, and really an underrated actress (I just rewatched Exotica recently). She's even played a sort of Bond-villain type of role, in the early seasons of 24. Also, she shares my birthday, which I really think the producers should take into account.

[Gold Trumpet]

Confirmed that Mendes is in talks, but as article nicely spells out, things are far from complete. I am enjoying the idea that Craig is taking steps to controlling the direction of the franchise more and he's now trying to hinder any critical backlash with the next film even though (for my money) Quantum of Solace is a superior Bond affair.  


Publicist for Sam Mendes confirms Bond 23 talks, not finalised yet

Seasoned James Bond fans may have greeted yesterday's news of Sam Mendes boarding Bond 23 with their usual soupçon of suspicion, but any fog surrounding the fast-moving developments is clearing quickly.

Sara Keene, Mendes' British publicist, confirmed today that the director had met with EON Productions to discuss the 23rd film in the series, but said nothing had been finalised.

"I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next," Keene said. "Sam's method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point to confirm which film he's going to do."

But the reason the ink is not dry yet may have more to do with MGM's terrible financial status than anything else.

Reputable insider news source Deadline Hollywood revealed yesterday that EON are unlikely to sign a director yet as it will trigger a contractual payment from MGM, thereby giving the cash-strapped studio a stake in the movie, even if EON gain the right to move it to a safer home. Bringing Mendes on board as a 'consultant' keeps the lion away from 007 for the time being.

MGM expects to receive take-over bids in the next couple of weeks.

Sources say Daniel Craig, who was reportedly unhappy with the critical reception of "Quantum of Solace", is the driving force behind Mendes joining the Bond team. Craig previously starred in Mendes' 2002 film "Road To Perdition".

For the record, "Quantum of Solace" ranked only 64% fresh on the critics aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, compared to an astonishing 94% for "Casino Royale". Mendes' "Road To Perdition" scored 82%.

[pete]

that has almost nothing to do with the directors.  that's the mission impossible franchise where tom cruise just hands the movie to each director (which, for better or worse, is cool on his part).  Bond's always been at the mercy of the producers.  like GT's assessment of Wes Anderson (that I contest), the movies are now more about the particular brand of action or filmmaking than any substance.  and that brand still has to deliver.  taking out the fun out of something that is inherently over the top does not constitute as "deliver."  and taking out the ridiculousness is not the same as taking out the fun.
I also just hope this pseudo verite style action is on its way out, I'm seriously annoyed by all the bad editing.

woh woh woh I know.  fuck you.